The Rangers continue their five-game road trip, and two-game swing to the Sunshine State, with a contest against the Panthers. Before anyone thinks this game will be a walk in the park, I take you back a few weeks ago where Florida gave the Rangers all they could handle in a 4-3 loss to New York at MSG. In addition, as Pete said, they are coming off a solid 3-1 victory over Philly on Tuesday and have wins over Anaheim, Vancouver and Colorado, while the Rangers are still licking their wounds from a 5-0 whitewash by the Lightning, which has the coaching staff and fanbase in a tizzy and contemplating major offensive and personnel changes.
First of all, in this season of thanks, accept mine. Thanks to the readers, especially those who are the regular ones, and those who have left comments. As I said when I took over the Rangers blog, I hope to learn as much from you as you learn from me. I was wrong as I likely learn more from you than from me. The comments help drive the blog and I hope I have utilized and credited them when appropriate within the blog. Those who come here, read and comment daily, you know who you are and they are too numerous to name and I fear I would forget one, thank you for helping make this, in my humble opinion, one of the best blogs on the site. While we may disagree, and vehemently at times, I know the passion and love for the Blueshirts - at least from the Rangers fans - are there. For those non-Rangers fans who come in, thanks as well for your participation, and you know as long as you are respectful, I will make sure there is always a place for you in the blog.
I am going to keep this one brief since much of what I could discuss we have beaten to death in the comments and in the blogs. The discussions on what ails the team and why has broken off into a myriad of sub-conversations and arguments. Each of them, regardless of what it is, has its own merit and counterarguments. Whether you believe that the issue is due to the lack of size down the middle. Or it's the lack of a finisher and inability to execute plays, as xcheckmajor wrote: "Our offense is skilled and fast, but man it kills me how much we bobble pucks, misfire passes into skates, shoot wide, shoot into the goalie and not corners." Or it's just that the team isn't that talented or the bottom-six don't produce enough or the own-zone coverage has been too weak, with the gap between D and forwards enabling too many chances that aren't being offset by scoring generated from the change in style. Or if you believe that the team needs a change in mindset or an offensive makeover, as AV just said. Whichever is the reason, the one caveat I will give is that don't be so quick to make changes. Yes, it's 24 games into the season and it's looks like what we see is what we will get. But as I have said, you have to give to get and if you give in one area weakening it, will what you receive make up for that loss and be that much better than what you have? It's still early enough and the conference is jumbled - or lousy, whichever term you like - that wholesale changes may not be needed. I agree tweaks and augmentation are, just not a major overhaul, as some are advocating.
One of the tweaks appears to have been made in line changes, both at even strength and on the power play. The new combinations are:
Forwards: Carl Hagelin-Brad Richards-Rick Nash Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello Benoit Pouliot-Derick Brassard-Ryan Callahan Brian Boyle-Dominic Moore-Derek Dorsett
Hagelin hopefully provides a dash of speed to that top line while Nash moves over to his more comfortable side on the right, where he is a lefty shot on the right side. The second line stays intact, though if the top line struggles, Kreider could be moved up, as can Callahan and Hagelin back down again. Callahan starts the game where he finished the last one, on the third line. He still has top PP duty. I don't agree with the comment on the last blog as to how weak Callahan has been this year, but as we have discussed, he is better suited to the second rather than top line, but I expect him to generate lots of chances on the line he is now on. The fourth line could be seeing their last hurrah with Taylor Pyatt due back soon, so either Pouliot or maybe Moore could be the odd man out Friday.
Late Note: Dorsett out due to the wrist he sprained Monday against Tampa, Pyatt back in the lineup Defensemen: Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi Marc Staal-Anton Stralman John Moore-Michael Del Zotto.
Same old, same old. Though, if Girardi keeps struggling, I wonder if you play Stralman and his big shot with Mac and reunite Staal and Girardi to recapture the old magic, hoping Staal covers up some of G's flaws? I am done talking about MDZ until something tangible occurs, but admit that as I wrote, I really like Jake Gardiner and wouldn't mind that exchange of players needing a new start.
Late update: Del Zotto scratched , Justin Falk replaces him. I wonder if this is a precursor to a deal or they just opted to scratch MDZ with everything going on? If not, you are burying a 23-year old with solid skills who is struggling. If lineup decisions are merit based, there are several others who could have been scratched before Del Zotto off of Monday's performance. Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist
I expect a big rebound after Hank was pulled Monday, plus with Cam Talbot maybe going Friday, having Lundqvist off a big game to face Torts and the Canucks would be nice
PP first unit: Nash-Richards-Callahan, Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
PP second unit (still undergoing tweaks): Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Derick Brassard/Mats Zuccarello, John Moore-Michael Del Zotto
Interesting going with two d-men at the points and moving Richards off the point down low. Personally, replace G with Stralman and his big shot and I would be happy. I guess when you go 3 for 26 and your record is 3-4-0, something has to change. On the second unit, I think you have to play Zucc due to his playmaking ability and maybe use Brass at a point.
A statement game tonight. Can the Rangers rebound from an embarrassing loss with everyone suggesting major changes or will they give in to the naysayers and prove them right?